Grant Dodd, who played in the last two Open Championships but failed to qualify for Carnoustie, gained some consolation when he won the BTC Slovenian Open in Bled.

The 32-year-old Australian carded a closing 68 for an 18-under-par 274, two strokes clear of Nils Rorbaek of Denmark and fast-finishing Markus Brier from Austria.

Dodd, who became the 10th first-time winner on this year's Challenge Tour, carded seven birdies and two bogeys in his 68, while Brier, who has been close to several titles this year, had seven birdies in his bogey-free best-of-the-day 66.

Rorbaek, who shot 64 in the third round, ran in eight more birdies but also suffered four bogeys in a 69.First round leader, Dominique Nouailhac, from France, also returned 69 to finish joint fourth with Welshman Bradley Dredge, who led at halfway and finished with a 71.

Overnight leader, Thomas Norret, from Denmark, slipped back with 74 for 278 and sixth spot.